Brakwater residents dismiss City resolution

Brakwater residents aired their grievances at a public meeting held by the City of Windhoek on Monday, demanding to know why they were not given their own meeting. This after they had raised complaints about the City's decision to implement a standard fee for rates and taxes for Windhoek, Brakwater and the extended boundary areas, which include farms.

“You can apply for rebates on agricultural activity,” Samuel Matonga, the acting manager for strategic finance of the City, said at the meeting, but residents weren't satisfied.

Most said there are too many unknowns, while some of their questions included what is considered agricultural activity and how much activity is needed to be eligible for the rebate.

One resident said plots of five hectares or larger are already zoned as agricultural land, and should automatically be given the rebate. The City responded that an inspection would first be needed to see whether the owner of the property qualifies.

Others residents wanted to know what their rates and taxes would be used for, with many projects in Brakwater planned and budgeted for since 1994, none of which have been realised.

“What has happened to our endowment and betterment fees for the past 18 years?” others demanded to know.

Concerns not addressed

The City made it clear that property tax was the only matter set to be discussed at the gathering, a resolution the residents vehemently rejected.

“We dismiss what council has put in place because our grievances, questions and concerns have not been addressed. In fact, this is the first meeting you have had with residents of Brakwater and we were never given a platform to air our concerns to the City,” one resident said.

“You can't call a public meeting and tell us what council decided when our input was not considered,” he added, while another stated that 22 letters have been sent to council over the last two and a half years – all which remain unanswered.

To this, Matonga said the Brakwater Advisory Committee (BAC) was formed to be a link to the community.

A representative of the BAC however dismissed this, saying they were sworn to confidentiality and were – ironically – not allowed to discuss anything with residents in the area.

‘I’ll do my best’

Residents' many questions remained unanswered.

The only response Matonga gave was that, in his personal opinion, rates and taxes are not subject to a level of service.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Hecht of the Independent Patriots for Change, who was in attendance, said he would make sure that the issues are handled in a fair manner.

“I cannot promise anything but I will do my best to ensure these issues get the proper attention.”